
CVT transmission abnormal noise may be caused by the following reasons: Wear and damage of bearings: When bearings wear out, the gap increases and the fitting accuracy decreases; when bearings are damaged, abnormal noise will occur due to the inability to operate normally, which may even damage the transmission components and expand the fault. This can also be caused by the wear of transmission components or the use of replacement parts with excessively low precision, such as gear wear or excessive fitting gap between new gears and original gears. Insufficient lubrication or excessively high viscosity of lubricating oil leading to poor lubrication: In this case, the corresponding lubricating oil (grease) should be replaced, otherwise it will aggravate the wear of the transmission and shorten its service life. Loosening of bolts on the transmission housing (end cover): Vibration during use may cause the bolts to loosen, so regular inspection is recommended.

A few days ago, my Teana's CVT transmission also developed a rustling abnormal noise. After researching, I found the common causes include: steel belt wear being the main reason, especially during aggressive acceleration, where friction between the friction plates and pulley can produce noise; unstable valve body oil pressure can also easily cause strange whining sounds, possibly due to clogged oil passages or solenoid valve malfunctions; deteriorated or insufficient transmission fluid worsens the situation, as dirty oil fails to lubricate properly, accelerating part wear; aging differential bearings may also cause abnormal noises during low-speed turns; additionally, transmission computer program errors can disrupt shift logic and generate noises. It's recommended to replace the original NS-3 specialized fluid on time, avoid stomping on the accelerator, and get inspections promptly if issues arise.

Over the years of repairing cars, I've encountered too many cases of abnormal noises from CVTs. Slippage between the steel belt and cone pulleys produces high-frequency whining sounds, especially noticeable during acceleration. Sticking solenoid valves cause unstable oil pressure, resulting in clicking or knocking noises. Differential issues are most apparent during turns, often related to bearing wear. If the fluid appears black or contains metal particles, it usually indicates internal component damage. I recommend changing the dedicated transmission fluid every 40,000 km, avoiding towing or prolonged uphill driving. This continuously variable transmission has a unique structure with substantial repair costs. When abnormal noises are evident, conducting oil pressure tests and computer diagnostics is advisable.

Last month, my Sylphy's CVT was repaired for a noise issue. There was a metallic friction sound at low speeds, and the mechanic said it was caused by wear on the steel belt and cone pulley. If there's a whining sound during acceleration, it's usually due to a problem with the valve body oil pressure. A creaking sound when turning might indicate a differential failure. If the transmission fluid hasn't been changed for a long time, degraded fluid quality can also increase friction between parts. Nowadays, mechanics use specialized diagnostic tools to check oil pressure values. If abnormal, the oil ring or solenoid valve may need replacement. Daily driving tips include avoiding full-throttle acceleration, warming up the car after a cold start, and regular to save big on repairs.

The causes of CVT abnormal noises are quite complex: Worn transmission steel belts can produce metal scraping sounds, often appearing after 20,000 kilometers; unstable oil pressure from valve body failure may cause clicking noises; damaged differential bearings create sounds during turns; insufficient or deteriorated fluid leading to poor lubrication can also generate noise; even control computer malfunctions can disrupt shifting logic and produce sounds. Key preventive measures include regular replacement with NS-3 specialized fluid, gentle driving to avoid sudden acceleration, and paying attention to transmission cooling. When abnormal sounds occur, first check oil pressure and fluid condition, addressing minor issues promptly.

With 15 years of driving experience, I can confirm that CVT noise issues are indeed quite common. In most cases, it's caused by wear between the transmission steel belt and pulleys, resulting in whistling or rustling sounds that are most noticeable during hard acceleration. Faulty valve bodies causing oil pressure fluctuations produce clicking noises, often related to contaminated transmission fluid. Differential problems mainly manifest as abnormal sounds during turns. For daily maintenance, pay attention to three key points: first, strictly follow the manual's requirements for changing the dedicated transmission fluid; second, avoid prolonged steep hill climbing or towing; third, monitor the engine coolant temperature. When repairing, always read the fault codes first, then check oil pressure data. Minor repairs may cost a few hundred yuan to resolve, but delaying until major repairs are needed can run into tens of thousands.


